The 2024 NASCAR season is about to begin. Whether you’re still reeling over your favorite driver’s loss, or reveling in your favorite driver’s win, 2023 is in the books. We’re moving on and heading full speed into another NASCAR season where all’s fair in love and racin’.
Each week I’ll continue to share my expert NASCAR advice right here on 5th Down Fantasy—until April 1st, that is. After that, you’ll need to hit up my podcast for the picks. Holly’s Racing Fantasy podcast is available on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Apple, and more! You can also grab my NASCAR fantasy picks on my YouTube channel, Holly’s Racing Fantasy. Thanks for following!
And now, here are my Brilliant, Bold, and Bonkers picks for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.
Brilliant Picks for NASCAR Fantasy – These expert fantasy picks for NASCAR have the best shot at a win this weekend!
Denny Hamlin
Come on. If anyone knows this track, it’s Denny. Qualifying means nothing at Daytona—as long as he pits well, avoids wrecks, and doesn’t blow an engine, he’ll come out on top.
Wins at Daytona: 3
Top Five Finishes here: 11
Top Ten Finishes here: 12
Joey Logano
Joey Logano is ready for action. Since qualifying was early, I had the chance to see just how ready he is! His Penske team members are good at Daytona, too, so he’ll have plenty of support out there. If the 22 car stays as fast as it was on Wednesday, he’s in like Flynn.
Wins at Daytona: 1
Top Five Finishes here: 8
Top Ten Finishes here: 11
Ryan Blaney
Last year’s Cup Series Champion has plenty of believers, and I’m one of them. He didn’t qualify well, but look for Ryan Blaney to have a great race as long as he’s able to avoid all the bad stuff out there.
Wins at Daytona: 1
Top Five Finishes here: 4
Top Ten Finishes here: 7
Bold NASCAR Expert Picks – Here is my NASCAR fantasy advice on this week’s sleeper pick, also known as the gutsy choice for a win.
Bubba Wallace
The Toyotas did not run well in qualifying, but that means little to the 23. If Bubba Wallace can win the Daytona 500, it will set his entire season in a positive way. He’s really good on superspeedways so I have no doubt it’s going to be an exciting race for this 23XI veteran.
Wins at Daytona: 0
Top Five Finishes here: 4
Top Ten Finishes here: 4
Chase Elliott
Ready to get back on the saddle again, Chase Elliott will wipe away the old year and make a fresh start with a win at Daytona. He looked sweet in qualifying, so that says something about his mindset for 2024.
Wins at Daytona: 0
Top Five Finishes here: 3
Top Ten Finishes here: 5
Kyle Bush
Rowdy is no stranger to great finishes at this track. He has plenty of DNFs, but if he can finish the whole race, he’ll finish in the top five. Kyle Busch’s car was fast in qualifying, so hopefully that momentum will continue.
Wins at Daytona: 1
Top Five Finishes here: 8
Top Ten Finishes here: 12
Bonkers NASCAR Fantasy Picks – Take a pass on these drivers for this week’s NASCAR Cup Series race.
Ross Chastain
There are many tracks that are easier for Ross Chastain than Daytona. He may do well if all else fails, but he has few friends on the track. If the big wreck comes, he’ll likely be right in the middle of it.
Wins at Daytona: 0
Top Five Finishes here: 0
Top Ten Finishes here: 3
Daniel Suárez
Daniel Suárez won the NASCAR Mexico race after The Clash so he started out the season on a high note. And I think we might just see a wain from the Trackhouse Racing driver before the year is over. But as for his luck at Daytona, it’s nonexistent. Take a pass on the 99 this week.
Wins at Daytona: 0
Top Five Finishes here: 0
Top Ten Finishes here: 1
Martin Truex Jr.
This will never be Martin Truex Jr.’s best track, or even close to it, despite his best efforts. Hold off just a bit on the 19 until we get geared up and out of Florida.
Wins at Daytona: 0
Top Five Finishes here: 3
Top Ten Finishes here: 6